The Premier League’s quickest quartet will share a pitch this weekend but it’s not at Stamford Bridge.
The big clash is between Chelsea and Arsenal, and with the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Hector Bellerin among the speedy Arsenal ranks you would expect them to feature in the top flight’s list of fastest players.
However the speed demons will all be gathered in the Britannia Stadium this weekend as second-placed Leicester visit Stoke City.
While the fourth fastest player this season, Mame Diouf, lines out for the hosts, the top three will all be playing for Claudio Ranieri’s surprise packages.
Striker Jamie Vardy, at 35.44 kilometres-per-hour, has recorded the highest speed of any Premier League player this season, but the England international has two of his own team-mates hot on his heels.
Leicester’s left flank does not hang about, and with full-back Jeffrey Schlupp (35.26 kph) and winger Marc Albrighton (35 kph), Ireland forward Jonathan Walters could have his work cut out if selected on Stoke’s right flank.
3 – The three players to have recorded the fastest speeds in the 2015/16 PL all play for Leicester (Vardy, Schlupp, Albrighton). Squadron.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 17, 2015
Having dramatically avoided relegation last season, Leicester have had a dream start to the season – lying second behind Manchester City after an unbeaten start to the season.
Star man Riyad Mahrez has reportedly attracted the attention of Champions League winners Barcelona and, while not quite as quick as some of his team-mates, the Algerian has been at the sharp end of Leicester’s lightning-fast attacks.
Speaking today, Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri took a flight of fancy to describe his team’s primary asset.
Ranieri on speed and pace: "My team is like the RAF….beep, beep, beep, I love it."
— BBC Sport Leicester (@BBCRLSport) September 17, 2015
While the Foxes have found the net 11 times this season, Ranieri is keen to stop the flow at the other end. Leicester’s third win in five matches came in a 3-2 home victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, but only after the visitors took a 2-0 lead – bringing to seven the number of goals conceded by Ranieri’s men already this season.
Ranieri: "I want to pay a pizza for a clean sheet. When we get one I pay for pizza and maybe a hot dog."
— BBC Sport Leicester (@BBCRLSport) September 17, 2015
Makes sense the former Chelsea manager would try to bribe his fast players with fast food.
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